[remy30006]

I have the original 4spd trans shifter and mount but on my trans the levers are the larger holes and must be later production. I'm trying to decide if I should look for different levers and go with the original slip joint rods or look for the newer threaded adjustment rods that would work with the levers I have. Has anyone had bad experiences with the slip joints not holding? Are all the rods the same configuration from 64 -72?

Thank you!

[Dick Boneske]

In 1964, Hurst released a kit for the '64 GTO/LeMans with threaded rods, metal bushings to replace the factory slip joints and plastic bushings. When my '64 was new, one over exuberant shift would slip the shifter rods and require re-adjustment and tightening. More than one time, I had to crawl under the car to move the shifter arms when the trans got locked in two gears at once. Needless to say, I was happy to buy and install the Hurst kit with threaded rods to eliminate this problem.

Today, my wife's '64 GTO has the original shifter rods and it has not been a problem. The reason---we don't drive our GTO's like we did in the '60's when we were young and reckless.

I have no idea if the rods were the same from '64-'72, but I'm sure early years were interchangeable. Hurst may still have rods for sale that work for the GTO application. I know for sure they have the metal bushings.

[Lemans64]

Yup, what Dick said. Mine would lock up numerous times over the summer, one would just not grab gears when your were gong somewhere important. LOL. I upgraded to the new threaded linkage from hurst a few years ago. Has been fine since then. I still have box with part number on it if you need the part number.

[remy30006]

Originally Posted by Lemans64

Yup, what Dick said. Mine would lock up numerous times over the summer, one would just not grab gears when your were gong somewhere important. LOL. I upgraded to the new threaded linkage from hurst a few years ago. Has been fine since then. I still have box with part number on it if you need the part number.

The part numbers would be awesome
Thank you!

[Peter Serio]

Hurst linkage kit for the 64-66 Lemans or GTO with Muncie 4 speed transmission: 373-3163.

Beware of new versions of this kit; Hurst shifter parts now are made in either China and/or Taiwan. The imported steel is thinner because they have re-drawn all of the old the blueprints into the metric system. The imported steel is also brittle. You can not cold-bend the imported rods, not even just a tiny bit or else they will crack.

The older USA made steel rods were very good; you could slightly bend or tweak the rods as needed for a perfect fit on the transmission. (It even says that you can do this, if need be; in the older instruction sheets.)

Photo below is an older USA made kit which I sold about 6 or 7 years ago.

[Lemans64]

I bought mine probably 4 years ago and haven't had any issues with it. same number as Pete stated.

[remy30006]

The part number comes up everywhere I search as the new kit. Anyone still have the old one for sale? The rods in Peter's picture appear beefier than what the ones in the new kit look. .

Thank you!

[Peter Serio]

A very easy way to tell the older (good) made in USA rods from the newer ones is the way the 4 digit part #s are represented in the metal. On all of the USA made rods I have ever seen; the 4 digit part number is pressed into the metal using a die set. The numbers have a very distinct almost "3D" look. On the imported rods the ID #s are no longer impressed, they are etched onto each rod using a laser. The laser #s look "flat" almost as if they are painted on with a silver-gray colored spray paint.

In addition you are right about the strength, the USA made rods will all measure 3/8" in diameter +- .010. The imported rods are thinner.

Older USA made kits have not been available in the warehousing system for several years. You would have to find a vendor who sells older NOS parts. The boxes that were made when Hurst was owned by Mr. Gasket in Cleveland Ohio would be a very good kit now to find & buy. The copyright date on a lot of those older HURST-Mr. Gasket boxes is 1987.

[Lemans64]

Yup my box says made in china. But the arms have a stamped number on them, so not sure if the arms are USA made or not. Did not use the arms from the kit as I had previously change the arms do to wear before I bought new linkage. Will have to check the rods next time I have it in the air.

[wwbdsb]

I have the 3 rods referenced in Pete's post, the reverse lever 2442, a lever 2440 not 2441 and a lever with now number. The two levers appear similar but can't say for certain if the same. Let me know if interested. Maybe Pete can comment. All parts are nice original used.

[remy30006]

Originally Posted by wwbdsb

I have the 3 rods referenced in Pete's post, the reverse lever 2442, a lever 2440 not 2441 and a lever with now number. The two levers appear similar but can't say for certain if the same. Let me know if interested. Maybe Pete can comment. All parts are nice original used.

pm sent

Thank you!

[JC455]

Paul at 5speeds.com makes some much beefier metal buttons for Hurst linkage. It's a copy of the nylon parts, only in metal, but it's only for the aftermarket shifters, not OEM.
http://www.5speeds.com/cart/index.ph...&product_id=76

If you ask for Brian (I'm pretty sure that is his name) at SK Speed, he has all kinds of vintage Hurst linkage.
https://www.skspeed.com/